Cotton-seed delinter



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l.

J. J. PAULKNER. COTTON SEED DELINTER.

No. 562,517. Patented June 23, 1896.

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J. J. FAULKNER.

COTTON SEED DBLINTER.

Patented June 23, 1896.

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- GOTTON SEED DBLINTEL No. 562,517 Patented June 23 1896 awuwlkta 2mmJahes 1 Taall 'e (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4;.

J. J. PAULKNBR. COTTON SEED DELINTER.

Patented June 23, 1896;

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NITEDM STATES ATENT FFICEQ JAMES J. FAULKNER, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,ASSIGNOR TO THE STAND- ARD COTTON SEED COMPANY, OF ARKANSAS.

COTTON-SEED DELINTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,517, dated June 23,1896.

' Application filed January 16, 1896. Serial No. 575,750 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES J..FAULKNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-SeedDelinters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in machines in treatingcotton-seed, and particularly to improvements in that class thereofknown as delinters and it consists in the improved cotton-seed delinterwhose construction and arrangement of parts will be hereinafterdescribed, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a cotton-seed delinter whichshall be more simple in construction than any which have heretofore beenmade, and the parts ofwhich shall be so adapted in form and material tothe nature of the use to which they are subjected that comparativelylittle wear will take place in the continued active operation of themachine, and so that those parts which do become worn may be readilyremoved and re placed.

The machine which I have constructed to fulfil the above-mentionedobject of invention belongs to what may be termed the arm type ofcotton-seed delintersthat is to say, a delinter in which the revolvingabradingsurface consists of a number of arms mounted upon a centralshaft, and formed at their outer ends to present an abrading-surface.This type of machine I believe to be the most economical of power, asthe frictional loss occasioned by the revolution of the abradings urface is here at a minimum. The capacity of machines of this type isalso very large, when such machines are properly constructed, becausethe character of the abrading action to which. the seed under treatmentis subjected is peculiarly adapted to remove the lint rapidly from theface of the seed undertreatment. The abrading contacts are of butmomentary duration, though quite sufficient to thoroughly scour the faceof .the seed presented to such action, and they are repeated again andagain until the faces of the seed have been thoroughly cleansed and thelint removed therefrom. The natural spring or rebound of the seed undertreatment after the abrading contacts is sufficient to cause the seed tochange its position in the roll which the seed forms around the innersurface of the casing while under treatment in the machine, so that newfaces are constantly presented to the abrading action. In machines ofthis type there has always been difficulty in arranging for a properfeed of seed to the ma chine. The only practical way of feedingcotton-seed to a cotton-seed delinter is through an upright pipe whichopens into the interior of the casing provided therefor. WVhen, however,arms mounted upon the central shaft are used as the revolvingabrading-surface, it is evident that some means other than such armsmust be provided under the feed-opem ing to control the feed of the seedto the machine. Otherwise either constant watch would have to be kept asto the quantity of seed under treatment in the machine, or the machinewould be liable to be choked and its operation interrupted.

One of the novel features of the machine which forms the subject-matterof this application consists in an improved device by means of which theflow of seed into the machine can be controlled andregulated in anydesired manner. Upon the central shaft, directly under the feed-opening,I mount a disk whose periphery is inclined or beveled toward theinterior of the machine, and is further so formed as to present acontinuous abradingsurface. In connection with this disk I use atelescopic feed-pipe, the moving section of which is adapted when in itslower position to rest upon the periphery of the disk thus mentioned.The lower endof the said moving section is inclined to correspond withthe inclination of the beveled surface of this disk, so thata close fitmay be obtained. Iam thus I have termed a stand-pipe.

contacts with the periphery of the disk, the feed of seed into themachine is entirely interrupted, but it is only necessary to raise suchmoving section slightly in order to provide for the passage of aconsiderable amount of seed into the machine.

A further feature of novelty in my present machine consists in the formof stand-pipe which I have devised to control the discharge of the seedfrom the machine.

In an application for Letters Patent filed May 4, 1895, Serial No.548,146, I have described a cotton-seed delinter in which the seed isdischarged from the machine through what This standpipe consists of anupright pipe, stationed, preferably, at the discharge end of themachine, which is in direct communication with the interior of thecasing through an opening therein. Into this pipe seed banks up when theamount of seed under treatment in the machine is so great that there isnot sufficient space in the abrading-inclosure to accommodate the entirebulk of the seed under treatment. The downward pressure of the seed inthe stand-pipe, acting backward through the machine, serves to regulatethe flow of seed into the machine and to increase the i11- tensity ofthe scouring action to which the seed under treatment is subjected, sothat the seed as it is finally discharged through the discharge-opening,which is stationed at the base of the stand-pipe,is thoroughly cleansed.

In the form of the stand-pipe described in the application abovereferred to no means are provided for permitting the seed which has oncerisen into the stand-pipe to be discharged from the same until the feedof seed to the machine has been interrupted. \Vith a view to removingthis difficulty, and also for rendering more uniform the condition ofseed under treatment in the machine, I have in my present constructionformed in the discharge end of the casing an opening, which extends tothe periphery of such casing on the outer face of the end or head of thecasing. In free communication with the open ing thus formed I place anupright pipe,which corresponds to the stand-pipe of my formerconstruction, in whose lower end is formed a valved discharge-opening. Ipartially close the opening formed in the end of the casing by means ofa valve, which may be adjusted in its position.

Bearing in mind then the factthat cottonseed, when under treatment in acotton-seed delinter, lies in the form of a roll around the innersurface of the casing, it will be seen that the cotton-seed at thedischarge end of the machine will pass through the opening formed in theend of the casing at or near the periphery of the same, and will bank upin the stand-pipe until it reaches the top level of the valve fitted insuch opening, when it will redischarge into the casing and undergo arenewed abrading action. This action, tak

ing place continually, assists in the thorough agitation of the seed inthe machine, and insures a perfect product.

Other novel features of my machine relate to the form of theabrading-surfaces which I use in my present construction, and to themeans which I adopt for removing the lint which is scoured from the seedby the action of the machine, and for freeing the interior of the casingfrom the dirt which naturally gathers therein during the course of thedelinting operation.

My invention is fully illustrated in the drawings which accompany andform a part of this application, in which the same reference-lettersrefer to the same or corresponding parts, and in which- Figure 1 is alongitudinal section of my machine. Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectionof the same. Fig. 3 is an end View showing the mechanism employed tooperate the revoluble brush which travels over that portion of thesurface of the casing through which the lint is removed. Fig. i is adetail View of the feedpipe, showing the construction of the same. Fig.5 is a detail view of a portion of the casing, showing the manner inwhich abradingblock sections are held in place thereon. Fi 6 is a detailview of one of the abrading-arms. Fig. '7 is a detail View of thedischarge standpipe.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the machine-frame. By this frameis supported the casing B, which forms the inclosure within which theentire delinting operation of the machine takes place, and in it arealso formed journals for the central shaft 0, to which are secured theabrading-arms D. Seed is fed into the machine through a feed-pipe E,stationed at the head end of the machine, and is discharged therefromthrough a discharge stand-pipe F, stationed in the head of the easing atthe discharge or tail end of the machine. The lint which is scoured fromthe surface of the seed by the action of the abrading-surfaces isremoved through the perforations G, formed in the casing at the top ofthe machine, by the action of the exhaust-air current, caused to existin the air-flume II by the action of the exhaust-fan I.

In the construction of cotton-seed delinters it is necessary to provide,first, abrading-surfaces to effect the desired scouring action; second,feeding and conveying means for supplying the machine with seed andkeeping the seed properly distributed through the same; third, means fordischarging the cleansed seed from the machine in quantities regulatedby its condition; fourth, means for removing the lint separated by theaction of the machine; fifth, means for removing the dirt whichconstantly gathers in the casing in the course of the delintingoperation.

In a detailed consideration of my machine which will now follow, theparts thereof will be considered in the order indicated, after which theoperation of the machine as a whole will be stated.

IIO

I. Abmdmg-smfaccs.-The abradingsurfaces which I use in my presentconstruction consist of the revolving arms D and the emery lining of theinner surface of the casing. The abrading-arms D are formed of twostrips of iron, or other suitable material d, in width preferably notexceeding two inches, which at their lower ends are placed face to faceand are held together, so as to constitute practically one piece, but atthe upper ends are flared outwardly, so as to form a V-shaped sectionwith the sharp edge toward the direction of the rotation of the arms,and are bent so as to present the upwardly curving form which has beenfound most desirable for all delinting and scouring actions. It is notessential that these arms be made of two pieces, as described, but it isnecessary that they be broadened at their outer ends and bent on eachside away from the casing, so as to form outwardly-flared A-shapedabradin g portions, the hollowed surfaces of which face inwardly. Thearms are secured at their lower end to the flanged disks 0, which aremounted upon the central shaft and suitably secured thereto. A number ofthese arms are secured to each disk, as thereby the capacity of themachine is increased. The disks can, however, be readily removed fromthe shaft, so that any necessary repair can be easily and rapidly made.I coat the outer end of the abradingarms with emery by the processdescribed in Patent No. 557,065, granted to me on March 24, 1890, sothat they have the desired abrading-surfaces. The sharp edge of theactive portion of the abrading-arms enables them to move easily throughthe mass of seed which they treat, while the sloping sides of the samerender the scourin g action thorough. Cottonseed, when under treatmentin a delinter, is held by centrifugal action inthe form of a roll aroundthe inner surface of the casing, so that it is always in place to besubjected to the action of the abrading-arms. The natural clasticity orrebound of the seed causes it to spring outward after each contact withthe abrading-arms, so that new faces of the seed are constantlypresented to the abrading action, and the maximum amount of abrading iseffected by a minimum amount of power, the frictional loss due to powernecessarily exerted in causing the revolution of the abrading-surfacesbeing very slight in machines of this type.

The abrading-surface of the casing is formed by a series of smoothsurfaced abradingblocks 1), which are held in position between thelongitudinal rims or flanges 1), formed on the inner surface of thecasing, by means of wedges, such Wedges being hammered into position, soas to effect a tight joint after the requisite number of blocks havebeen placed on the curve of the casing. After the blocks have been thusplaced into position, plasterof-paris or other suitable cement may beini serted between the joints of the same, so that a thoroughly firm andsubstantial emery lining may be provided for the casing. This method ofholding in position the blocks which form a lining of the casing is verysimple and is at the same time very effective.

At the discharge end of the machine the casing is formed with a head 19At the feed or head end of the machine, however, no end or head to thecasing is provided, but the escape of seed is prevented by the revolubledisk J, whose periphery is beveled or inclined inward toward the centerof the machine, and is provided with a dovetail holding-section tosecure inplace the abrading-blocks j. The high end of this disk comes inclose contact in its revolution with the annular rim 0, which is securedto the end of the casing at this end of the machine. The distancebetween the rim and the disk is sufficient to provide for any expansionof the parts due to the heating which is naturally caused by theoperation of the machine, but is still very slight. In actual operation,I have found that no loss of seed occurs at this point, while undueheating of the machine at the head end of the machine is obviated. I

II. Fecdmga nd conveying dc-rices.Seed is conveyed into the machinethrough the feed stand-pipe E, which is located at the feed or head endof the machine, and is in direct communication with the interior of thecasing through an opening formed therein. The opening inthe casing isdirectly over the place at which the revoluble disk J is mounted uponthe central shaft, and thus said disk is enabled to assist in the feedof the seed to the machine in a manner which will now be described.

The feed stand-pipe is telescopic, and consists of a stationary outersection E, which is secured firmly in place on the outer surface of thecasing, and of an inner moving section E The moving section E is adaptedto project into the casing and contact with the periphery of the disk J.Its lower end is beveled or inclined, as shown at e to corre- IIO spondwith the inclination of the disk J, so I that a close contact may beeffected between said moving section of the telescopic standpipe and theperiphery of the disk. To prevent crowding of the seed in thestand-pipe, and the friction and heating of the seed which wouldnaturally result therefrom, the end of the moving section E toward thedirection of rotation of the disk J is cut away, as shown at 6 No undueescape of seed takes place on account of this formation, however, as thedirection of the rotation of the disk J is such as to feed seed into themachine from the other side of the moving section of the stand-pipe,which is not cut away.

To prevent clogging of seed in the standpipe, the stationary section Ethereof is provided with an inner lining c, and the space between thelining and the inner surface of .the section E is made sufficient topermit the pipe is made perfectly smooth, and no obstacle is offered towhich the seed can cling in its downward passage to the machine.

The feed or supply of seed to the machine is effected by the action ofthe revolving disk J, which acts to draw seed from the standpipe andfeed it forward through the machine in proportion to the distancebetween its periphery and the lower edge of the moving section of thestand-pipe. IVhen said moving section contacts with the periphery of thedisk,the supply of seed is entirely interrupted; and the amount of seedcarried to the abrading-surfaces can be controlled and regulated bycontrolling the position of the moving section of the stand-pipe.

The position of the moving section E is determined by the double lever Ewhich is pivoted to the stand-pipe on one side of the same, and acts inconnection with the curved rackbar E. Slots 6 are formed in the doublelever, into which project the lugs 6 which are formed on the sides ofthe moving section E the vertical slots 6 permitting the necessary play.

I have found it unnecessary to make use of any other method than thatdescribed to effect the conveying of seed through the machine. Theconstant forward impulse caused by the action of the beveled surface ofthe revoluble disk J is sufficient to cause the desired passage of theseed through the machine.

III. The seed-discharge stcmidpipe.The discharge of the cleansed seedfrom the machine is effected through the stand-pipe F, which is securedto the head or end of the casing at the discharge end of the machine.The stand-pipe consists of the upright pipe F, at the lower end of whicha funnel-shaped outlet F is formed. The discharge through theoutlet-opening F is regulated by the valve F whose position iscontrolled by the lever f working upon the rack-bar f. The stan dpipe isstationed on the head of the casing near the periphery of the same andis placed in communication with the interior of the easing, in which theabrading action is taking place, by means of an opening in the head ofthe casing, which extends to the periphery thereof and is partiallyclosed by a sliding Valve F;

Bearing in mind the fact that seed under treatment in a cottonseeddelinter lies in the form of a roll around the inner surface of thecasing, it will be seen that when the sliding valve F is drawn upward bythe valve-controlling rod F the seed forming the roll at that end of themachine will gradually work into the discharge stand-pipe and bank upinto the same, the discharge from the standpipe being regulated by theposition of the valve I. hen the seed, banked up in the stand-pipe, hasreached the height of the upper surface of the valve F it will fall backinto the casing and be again subjected to the delinting operation. Thepassage of seed into and out of the stand-pipe will be continuous,

and can be observed through a window F, which I form on the outer faceof the standpipe, so that in this machine I am able to inform myself atall tim es of the condition of the seed under treatment.

All of the regulating qualities of the original form of stand-pipedescribed in my application for Letters Patent filed May 4-, 1895,Serial No. 548,146, are herein preserved, and, in addition, a morethorough scouring action is provided for such seed as rises up in thestand-pipe, and an opportunity is afforded for accurately knowing thecondition of seed under treatment in the machine. At the beginning ofthe operation of the machine the sliding valve F may be so placed as toclose the lower portion of the opening in the easing, and thus compelthe seed to be thoroughly cleaned before such valve is drawn up and thenormal operation of the machine begins.

It is a matter of essential importance in a cotton-seed delinter toprovide means for effectively and rapidly removing the lint, which isscoured from the seed by the action of the abrading-surfaces. If thelint were allowed to gather in the machine, it would interrupt thedelinting operation by dulling the abrading-surfaces, and would itselfbe cut to pieces and its Value impaired by the contact which it wouldhave with the abrading-surfaces. The removal of lint from a delintermust, however, be effected by positive means, as the lint, being of lessspecific gravity than the seed, lies on the inner surface of the rollwhich the seed forms in the machine.

In my present construction I have made use of the fact that in the armtype of cotton-seed delinters the seed is not subjected to as activeabrading action at the upper surface of the casing as at the lowersurface, on account of the influence of gravity upon the roll of seedunder treatment. On the upper surface of the casing, a little to oneside of the center of the same, I form perforations G, and support incommunication with the perforated portion of the casing the open end ofthe airfiume H, in which an exhaust-air current is generated by theexhaust-fan I. The seed under treatment is at this portion of the easingmost readily subject to the influence of the air-current when thedirection of rotation of the abrading-surface is that indicated by thearrow in the drawings. The lint can therefore be most readily removed bythe action of the exhaust-air current. The perforations in the casingare made in the shape shown in the drawings, oblong, in the direction ofthe circle of the casing, in order to facilitate the lint removal.

The dirt separated from the machine in the course of the delintingoperation escapes from the machine through the perforations K, which areformed in the bottom of the casing.

It is essential to provide means for keeping the portion of the casingthrough which the lint is removed clean and free from adhering IIO lint,and advantageous to prevent clogging of the dirt in the perforationsthrough which it escapes from the machine. I accomplish these objectsby. supporting on the central shaft 0, at both ends of the machine,twoarmed castings L. In the upper arm L of the castings are formedjournals for the revoluble brush M, which is operated, as shown in Fig.1, by a belt connection with the central shaft. To the lower arm L ofthe twoarmed castings L, I secure the brush N, which contacts with theperforated portion of the casing through which the dirt escapes.

A reciprocatory movement is given to the castings L, in order to causethe respective brushes to travel across the perforated portions of theperiphery of the casings with which they contact, by the action of thecranks O, secured to the lower arms of said castings L and to thegear-wheels P. The gear-wheels P are themselves in gear with thegear-wheels Q, which are operated by a belt connection with thepower-shaft. In this manner any desired speed of reciprocation of thebrushes across the perforated periphery of the casing can be obtained.

' under the same.

IV. The operation of the gnach'me.ln the operation of my machine seed isfed into the machine through the feed-pipe E in quantities regulated bythe position of the moving section E of the same, and is conveyedthrough the machine by virtue of the forward impulse given to the seedby the beveled-faced revoluble disk J, which acts in connection with thefeed stand-pipe and is stationed directly The removal of the lint fromthe seed under treatment is effected by the abradin g action of therevoluble arms D and the emery-lined inner surface of the casing. Theseed is discharged from the machine through the discharge stand-pipe F,the seed which banks up in said stand-pipe returning to the interior ofthe casing as the height of said seed reaches the upper level of thesliding valve F The lint which is secured from the seed by the action ofthe machine is removed from the inclosure in which the abrading actionis taking place by the exhaust-air current, caused by the action of theexhaustfan I, stationed in the air-flume H, the revoluble brush Mkeeping the perforations through which the lint is removed clean andfree from adhering lint. The dirt which is separated from the seed inthe course of the delinting operations escapes through the perforationsK at the bottom of the machine, such perforations being kept clean bythe reciprocations of the brush N.

I do not herein broadly claim the use of a discharge stand'pipe tocontrol the escape of the cleansed seed, as that is claimed in a priorapplication for Letters Patent filed by me May 4, 1895, Serial No.548,146; but

WVhat I do claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a cotton-seed delinter, the combinapipe stationed over saidopening, the moving section thereof being adapted to project into thecasing and contact with said revoluble body, and means for controllingthe position of said moving section, substantially as described.

2. In a cotton-seed delinter, the combination with a casing having afeed-opening therein, and a shaft extending through the same, of arevoluble body mounted on said shaft beneath said opening, a telescopicfeedpipe stationed over said opening, the stationary section thereofbeing provided with a lining separate from the body of the same, and themoving section sliding between the lining and the body of saidstationary section, and being adapted to project into the casing andcontact with said revoluble body, and means for controlling the positionof said moving section, substantially as described.

3. In a cottonseed delinter, the combination with a casing having afeed-opening therein, and a shaft extending through the same, of aninwardly-sloping beveled-faced disk mounted on said shaft beneath saidopening, a telescopic feed-pipe stationed over said opening, the movingsection thereof being adapted to project into the casing and contactwith the periphery of said disk, and having a lower end inclined tocorrespond with the slope of said disk, and means for controlling theposition of said moving section, substantially as described.

at. In a cotton-seed delinter, the combination with a casing having afeed opening therein, and a shaft extending through the same, of arevoluble body mounted 011 said shaft beneath said opening, atelescopicfeedpipe stationed over said opening, the moving section thereof beingadapted to project into the casing and contact with said revoluble body,and having its lower end cut away at the front thereof, and means forcontrolling the position of said moving section, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a cottonseed delinter, the combination with a casing having a feedopening therein, and a shaft extending through the same, of a revolublebody mounted on said shaft beneath said opening, a telescopic feedpipestationed oversaid opening, the stationary section thereof having slotscut in its sides, and the moving section thereof having lugs formed onits sides adapted to project through said slots, the pivotedcontrollinglever E and the rack E whereby the position of said movingsection is controlled, substantially as described.

6. In a cotton-seed delinter, the combination with a casing having afeed-opening therein, and a shaft extending through the same, of afeed-pipe stationed over said open ing, and an inwardly-sloping,beveled-faced disk mounted on said shaft beneath said opening,substantially as described.

'7. In a cotton-seed delinter, the combination with a casing, and ashaft extending through the same, of a series of arms, having curvedouter ends, mounted on said shaft, said ends being broadened and bent oneach side away from the casing so as to form outwardly-flared A-shapedabrading portions, the hollowed surfaces of which face inwardly,substantially as described.

8. In a cotton-seed delinter, the combination with a revolvingabrading-surface, a casin g therefor having an openingin one endextending to the periphery thereof, and a valve partially closing saidopening, said valve being smaller than said opening. leaving thereby aspace above and below the same, of an upright pipe in communication withsaid opening, substantially as described.

9. In a cotton-seed delinter, the combination with a revolvingabrading-surface, a casing therefor having an opening in one endextending to the periphery thereof, and a valve partially closing saidopening, said valve bein g smaller than said opening, leaving thereby aspace above and below the same, of an up right pipe in communicationwith said opening, and a valved outlet at the bottom thereof,substantially as described.

10. In a cotton-seed delinter, the combination with a revolvingabrading-surface, a casing therefor having an opening in one end eX-tending to the periphery, and an adjustable valve partially closing saidopening,said valve being smaller than said opening,leaving thereby aspace above and below the same, of an upright pipe in communication withsaid opening, and a valved outlet at the bottom thereof, substantiallyas described.

11. In a cottonseed delinter, the combination with a casing having aportion of its surface perforated, a shaft extending through the same,and a revolving abrading-surface mounted thereon, of an air-flume incommunication with the perforated portion of said casing, means forcausing an exhaust-air current therein, arms mounted upon said centralshaft, a brush supported by said arms adapted to rest upon theperforated portion of said casing means for revolving said brush, andmeans for reciprocating said brush across said perforated portion,substantially as de scribed.

12. In a cotton-seed delinter, the combination with a casing havingaportion of its surface perforated to permit of lint removal, and aportion of its surface perforated to permit of dirt removal, a shaftextending through the same, and a revolving abrading-surface mounted onsaid shaft, of an air-flume in communication with the lint-removalperforated portion of said casing, means for causing an exhaust-aircurrent therein, castings mounted on said shaft having two arms, arevoluble brush adapted to rest upon the lintremoval perforated portionof said casin g supported by the upper set of said arms, means forrevolving the same, a stationary brush adapted to rest upon thedirt-removal perforated portion of said casing supported by the lowerset of said arms, and means for reciprocating said casting so as tocause said brushes to sweep across their respective perforated sections,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES J. FAULKNER.

Vitnesses:

HUGH B. CULLEN, J. F. HUDsPETH.

